Barbera re-signs with Aspar for 2011

Hector Barbera has signed a new contract with Aspar to remain with the team for the 2011 MotoGP season.

Hector Barbera has signed a new contract with Aspar to remain with the team for the 2011 MotoGP season.

Barbera and Aspar both moved up to the premier-class this season, with the Spaniard - runner-up in last year's 250cc World Championship - the top satellite Desmosedici rider with twelfth in the championship after eleven rounds.

The Spaniard, who had a reputation for being somewhat erratic in the lower classes, has been remarkably mistake-free in MotoGP - scoring points in all but one round, Laguna Seca, where he was sidelined by a technical problem.

The news of Barbera's new contract follows previous confirmation that Aspar will continue with Ducati machinery next year, which will be the last of the 800cc era.

"Even though this is a learning year Hector is doing a very good job in MotoGP, considering the quality of the field," said team principal Jorge Martinez 'Aspar'. "With the pace he has set he would have been in the top five two years ago and it is hard to find another rider with the same level of performance and potential.

"As well as being a good rider, as he has shown on the track, he is an even better person and he has a very similar view of this world to us. His potential and youth, combined with the fact he is from Valencia, is also a fundamental part of our project.

"Ducati have supported us ever since we began this project and they agree that Hector is an excellent rider with a long career ahead. So after announcing that we will be continuing with the Italian factory next year we were keen to confirm that we'll be sticking with Hector too.

"It is a subject that has been on the table practically since the start of the season but we decided to make it public here in Misano considering the good form he has shown in recent races."

Barbera is naturally delighted to secure a second season in MotoGP and is hoping to benefit from Valentino Rossi's arrival at the factory team.

"I am really pleased that we will continue to take this project forward. I was calm and confident that I would stay for another year but once the contracts are signed and sealed that helps you to concentrate better and focus purely on racing," he said.

"I want to thank Jorge again for his continued support and for the opportunity to race for him again. We are doing our job well, the team is helping me a lot and you know when you are part of a winning team.

"This is the most difficult project I have ever been involved with because MotoGP is the highest level but I am satisfied that we are working in the right direction. Now we head to some circuits where I went well last year so we're looking to end the season on a high.

"I am also sure that Valentino's move to Ducati will bring a lot of experience and improve the bike."